Tag Archive: colorado

Sneffels Range in the Fall – Ridgway, Colorado

Sneffels Range in the Fall - Ridgway, Colorado

A view of the Sneffels Mountain Range in the Fall near the Dallas Divide and Ridgway, Colorado. Snow covers the mountain peaks, the aspen have peaked with yellow leaves, and interspersed through the scene are pine trees and other conifers. The Sneffels Mountains are part of the larger San Juan Range, as well as the famous Rocky Mountains. This particular spot borders on the national forest boundary, maintained by the Forest Service and the Double RL (Ralph Lauren) ranch. The Sneffels are located on the western side of the Continental Divide, in what is consider the West Slope of Colorado.

Dallas Divide in the Fall – Ridgway, Colorado

Dallas Divide in the Fall - Ridgway, Colorado

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The Sneffels Range near the Dallas Divide with fall colors in full swing. The Sneffels Range is a branch of the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. The best views of the range are off of Highway 62 between Ridgway and Placerville. Much of the land on the south side of this road is owned by the Double RL Ranch. RL is short for the famous clothes designer Ralph Lauren. Several public dirt roads pass through the ranch heading toward mountain range. They include routes 5, 7 and 9. Be respectful of private property. Parking along the edge of the road and photographing wasn’t a problem for me, but on each of these roads, you generally won’t reach the Forest Service boundary until the end.

Historic Hanging Flume – Dolores River – Colorado

Historic Hanging Flume - Dolores River - Colorado

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A view of a historic hanging flume constructed by the Montrose Placer Mining company in the 1880’s to help miners exploit placer gold deposits in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The flume was more than 12 miles in length, and was connected to a ditch starting at a dam on the San Miguel River near Uravan, Colorado. While in operation the flume carried more than 80 million gallons of water a day.

Denver Post: 121-year-old western Colorado mining flume clings to its secrets
See more images from the Colorado River watershed.